North Mackay Saints will play Mackay Magpies in the AFL Mackay grand final

From golden boots to tall timber, these are the four moments that will decide the AFL Mackay grand final.

The AFL Mackay grand finals are almost here, with six premierships on the line across the junior and senior competitions.

North Mackay Saints and Mackay Magpies will battle it out in the senior A grade match on Saturday at Magpies Sporting Club.

The Saints prevailed in the qualifying final against the Magpies, holding onto a seven-point victory.

Both sides will leave it all on the line for a chance at premiership glory, and here are the four deciding factors for the biggest game of the year.

Golden boot battle

The battle in front of goal shapes to be the most important battle of the day.

Jordan Cullen has kicked 71 goals in 11 games for the Magpies so far this season, but the Saints have had an answer to one of the most prolific goal scorers in the competition.

Full back Chayse Tilley has kept the key forward to just four goals in four games, while Cullen has booted 67 goals in seven matches against other opposition this season.

If Cullen can break the shackles of the Tilley tag, he has a chance of winning the flag off his own boot.

Ruck contests key

Liam Byrne is set to face off against Nicholas Thiele in what should be an even battle in the ruck.

The Saints and Magpies have used the same rucks for the majority of the season

Tyler Duck has played an important back-up role for the Saints, while Thiele has been left to do the majority of the work for the Magpies.

The qualifying final result proved the importance of a winning ruck formula, with regular stoppages plaguing the contest.

Whichever team can win the ruck contests both in the centre and around the ground will have a major advantage.

Alec a lock for dominant display

Alec Townsend has been on a tear for the Saints this season.

The elite midfielder has starred in each of the games he has played, with 10 out of 12 matches ending in the votes.

Townsend was one of the Saints’ best against the Magpies in the first final, with the inside midfielder collecting disposals at will.

Arguably the Saints’ best player, an unleashed Townsend will make the hunt for the premiership much easier for North Mackay.

Intercepting back the way forward

North Mackay’s centre half back Luke Slater has been a key piece for the Saints this season.

In a similar mould to Melbourne’s Jake Lever, Slater reads the ball in the air well and can move across the field to intercept or impact the ball.

His second half of the season has been particularly impressive and is a vital cog in the Saints defence this season.

A defensive forward playing alongside Slater may be an answer for the Magpies, who seemed to kick the ball to him every forward 50 entry.